‘The Whispers’ Is Steven Spielberg’s Epic Forgotten Alien TV Thriller

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The question of whether aliens exist is on many people’s minds, especially with the upcoming release of Steven Spielberg’s new science fiction film, Disclosure Day, on June 12, 2026. The movie centers around Daniel Kellner and Margaret Fairchild, two people whose lives unexpectedly connect when Margaret begins speaking in what appears to be an alien language during a weather broadcast. Daniel is the only one who can understand her, making him key to revealing this extraordinary communication.

There’s been speculation that Disclosure Day is a follow-up to Steven Spielberg’s 1977 film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which also explored the topic of alien encounters. Of course, many fondly remember his 1982 classic, E.T., a beloved film for generations. But before you see the new movie this summer, you might want to watch a TV show about aliens that Spielberg executive produced eleven years ago.

Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Whispers’ Is a Perfect Alien Story

The television series The Whispers ran for one season of 15 episodes on ABC, from June to August 2015. It starred Lily Rabe as Special Agent Claire Bennington, who investigates a puzzling case involving children and an imaginary friend. As her son, Henry (played by Kyle Harrison Breitkopf), becomes involved with this imaginary friend named “Drill,” Claire grows increasingly convinced that a sinister force is influencing the children.

The show does a good job of developing Claire’s personal life, particularly her marriage to Sean (Milo Ventimiglia), who unexpectedly returns after being presumed dead. From the beginning, The Whispers establishes itself as a story about aliens, and it’s pretty clear these creatures are targeting children. Even though the outcome seems increasingly bleak as the series progresses, you’ll still be invested in Claire’s investigation and hoping for the best. The alien, Drill, is cleverly designed – a being of electricity – which avoids typical, cheesy monster portrayals.

Although many alien-themed TV shows focus on the extraordinary, The Whispers delves into relatable emotions like grief, family bonds, and the challenges of raising children – themes often found in Steven Spielberg’s most memorable films. It wasn’t a massive hit and was unfortunately canceled after just one season. Like Spielberg’s best work, the show centers on compelling child characters, and it’s heartbreaking to watch their innocence as they become unknowingly involved in a dangerous game orchestrated by a mysterious force.

When you think of TV shows about aliens, The X-Files immediately comes to mind. It perfectly captures the dynamic of a believer – Fox Mulder – and a skeptic – Dana Scully – investigating strange occurrences. The show is a consistently entertaining ride, with Mulder and Scully tackling monsters and debating Mulder’s unwavering belief in extraterrestrial life. There are parallels between Dana Scully and the character of Claire. Like Scully, Claire is practical, dedicated to her work, and sometimes influenced by past trauma. It’s easy to picture Mulder and Scully investigating the Drill case and solving it. However, Claire differs from Scully in that she immediately suspects something is wrong with Drill, while Scully typically tries to find rational explanations for everything.

Why You Can’t Miss ‘The Whispers’ Before Seeing ‘Disclosure Day’

If you’re interested in the premise of Disclosure Day – what might happen if the world learned aliens are real – The Whispers is a good show to watch beforehand. It’ll set the stage nicely for Steven Spielberg’s upcoming film, which seems to be taking a more realistic approach to alien contact by focusing on the public’s anxiety and how news spreads. Imagine watching a weather report and seeing the reporter act like the character played by Emily Blunt – you’d definitely be concerned and probably wouldn’t stop watching the news for a long time!

It’s true that the idea of aliens chatting with children in their backyards or bedrooms feels a bit far-fetched. However, the feelings portrayed in The Whispers—like fear and worry—are very relatable, and it’s easy to understand how parents would react if something like this actually happened to their kids.

It’s easy to see why Steven Spielberg often explores the topic of aliens. Like the question of whether ghosts exist, the possibility of life beyond Earth is a massive, captivating idea. Some dismiss it entirely, while others believe it’s plausible. According to Deadline, Spielberg shared his thoughts on this during a panel at SXSW in March 2026, stating:

I’ve always felt, even when I was young, that there must be other life out there – it just seems logical. Now, the real question is: are we currently alone in the universe? And thinking back, have we been alone for the past 80 years? Or even for the last 3,000 years?

Both The Whispers and Disclosure Day challenge viewers to consider the same questions about alien life that Steven Spielberg explored in a recent discussion – specifically, how long aliens might have been present on Earth. You’ll find these themes woven throughout Spielberg’s older TV series and his new science fiction film. And if you’re wondering, there are only a few months left until June!

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2026-04-06 23:03